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QuestionGuy22 · Aug 4, 2008, 08:58 PM

I live in Wisconsin. My previous tenant did not pay the final two months rent. Also, owes me over $600 in damages for large window. And probably $500 for stuff that I probably can't prove like smoke damage to floor and walls. Was a non-smoking unit. Security deposit only covered part of all this.
I do not know where he is. He does not answer his phone, his girlfriend does not answer her phone, I called his mother and she says she does not know where he is, but might be working at a certain place in the area yet. I assume they cannot tell me his address. He does not have a car. My guess is he his leaching off friends somewhere.

How can I file a summons if I don't know where he is? Or where do I go from here?

JudyKayTee · Aug 5, 2008, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by QuestionGuy22

I live in Wisconsin. My previous tenant did not pay the final two months rent. Also, owes me over $600 in damages for large window. And probably $500 for stuff that I probably can't prove like smoke damage to floor and walls. Was a non-smoking unit. Security deposit only covered part of all this.
I do not know where he is. He does not answer his phone, his gf does not answer her phone, I called his mother and she says she does not know where he is, but might be working at a certain place in the area yet. I assume they cannot tell me his address. He does not have a car. My guess is he his leaching off friends somewhere.

How can I file a summons if I don't know where he is? Or where do I go from here?

You have to have an address (or place of employment) in order to serve someone.

If all else fails hire a Licensed Private Detective to run a limited background check - depending on how recently the tenant moved there should be a forwarding/new address.

this8384 · Aug 5, 2008, 11:29 AM

Since it's in Wisconsin, you can try a search for both the tenant and his girlfriend at:

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access

I've used this plenty of times to locate people who have taken off on me. It sometimes takes a few months but if they get even a speeding ticket, their address will show up on this site.

this8384 · Aug 5, 2008, 11:32 AM

And like Judy said, you need an address to have the papers served. Otherwise you will need to file more paperwork asking the court to post-pone the trial until you locate the tenant. Find him first, then file the papers.